Motor Vehicle Theft Can Cost You Your Identity!

If someone steals your car or truck, information often goes along
with it.

That motor vehicle theft could mean the loss of your personal
identification, registration, and insurance papers, and even mail that
you might have in the car with you.

You don't have to be at the mercy of car thieves.
See the vehicle protection tips in the Garages section below.

Stats About Motor Vehicle Theft in the USA

Motor vehicle theft costs the United States Billions of dollars every year.

Unfortunately, my state of California is a hotbed for car theft. Seven of the metropolitan areas in the United States were in the top ten for the highest rate of motor vehicle theft per 100,000 people.

Always lock your car doors and take your keys. On average 35-45 percent of motor vehicle theft occurs when keys are left in the cars.

Every 43 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States, according to the F.B.I.

More than 75,000 air bags are stolen each year, and theft of expensive Xenon (TM) headlights is now becoming a very growing problem.

The
National Insurance Crime Bureau has stated that once again the ’95
Honda Civic is at the top of the list for America’s most stolen car.

Again, motor vehicle theft, or theft of any kind is a crime of opportunity. Let’s not give a thief the opportunity.

Just as you have "levels of layering" (taking multiple steps) for the safety of your house, it is also an excellent idea to practice these levels of layering for the safety of your vehicles.

The more security measures a thief has to bypass, the better off you are, and the more likely the thief is to move on to an easier target.

Installing a vehicle-tracking device is a great way to pinpoint your vehicle in minutes if it’s stolen.

Thieves are less likely to steal a car if they believe it can be recovered so quickly, especially if the thief is still in it.

Installing
a wheel lock mechanism is another popular choice, or the Auto-Lock that
hooks around your brake pedal's bracket. I have this, and have had very
good luck with it.

Something else to look into is an engine or fuel cut-off switches.

Safeguard yourself from all identity theft scams with knowledge of how these scams can steal your identity.

Chop Shop ConnectionTo Motor Vehicle Theft

Automobile thieves have also become much more organized. Chop
shops are still very active and ‘ordering’ parts for specific cars has
become a current trend in California’s hot spots.

The police in Canada found the chop shop to end all chop shops. The location was over 100,000 sq. ft.

The
scrap yard had 700-800 stolen vehicles, all of which were luxury cars
such as: Mercedes Benz, Jaguars and SUV's and many other high-end
vehicles.

The thieves were stealing all these high-end luxury cars so they could hock all the valuable parts.

Remember the movie ”Gone in 60 seconds”? This gives you an accurate picture of how huge this car theft industry is and how far it reaches.

It’s not surprising that a thief would target the top selling cars. This is primarily for a couple of reasons.

To export the top selling cars to foreign countries.

To
supply the underground network with replacement parts. Consumers should
report any and all suspected fraud activities to the police and to the
National Crime Bureau.

Reports can be anonymous. Contact the NICB office at 1-800-TEL-NICB (835-6422) or visit www.NICB.org.

Also popular for motor vehicle theft are the ’89 Toyota Camry, ‘97 Ford F-150, ‘95 Civic and the ’91 Honda Accord. These have continually been the most stolen cars in the nation since 2006.

Older model cars are the biggest target of motor vehicle theft because older cars are much easier to access than newer models. The less time a thief spends stealing your car, the smaller the chance of him getting caught.

2011 Top 10 Metropolitan Areas For Motor Vehicle Theft

Fresno, California

Modesto, California

Bakersfield-Delano, California

Spokane, Washington

Yakima, Washington

San Francisco/Fremont/Oakland, California

Stockton, California

Anderson, South Carolina

Vallejo-Fairfield, California

Visalia-Porterville, California

2011 Top 10 States With Highest Motor Vehicle Theft

California

Texas

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Michigan

Washington

Arizona

Ohio

New York

VIN Cloning And Switching

One of the newer techniques of motor vehicle theft includes vehicle identification number (VIN) cloning and switching.

“Cloning”
is forging ownership vehicle registration documents and numbers to
create multiple vehicles with the same VIN. This is a bit more high tech
and normally done through DMV-type fraud.

Here is an example of
VIN switching. The thief steals a 2004 Honda Civic, replaces it’s VIN
with the license plate numbers and VIN of a different 2004 Honda Civic (very possibly yours) so, when the police check those plates, the only name that comes up is yours.

Another popular action of motor vehicle theft used to try to outwit someone is called “shaving keys”.

This particular VIN-related crime requires someone copying your VIN number and having a “replacement” key made at a dealership.

This
ploy uses similar car keys with the sides shaved off to start older
vehicles, including certain Toyota, Honda, and Saturn models.

As
statistics nationwide show, the older models of these vehicles are
often the targets of thieves, although the manufacturers have solved
these shaved keys problems.

It
is possible for this to happen, perhaps by a person that works at one
of the dealerships; however, legitimate dealers require proof of
ownership before they issue a duplicate key, and forging documents is
not an easy thing to do.

A car thief’s most common method of operation are things that are quick, easy and doing them while being undetected.

Many
states have programs that help people recover their stolen property. If
you were like me, you would like to keep this from happening to you in
the first place.

Remember! The more
attractive you make it for a car thief, the quicker he will take
advantage of the opportunity you have created for him.

Motor
vehicle theft is made easy for a thief if you leave your car sitting in
the driveway or the street with the doors unlocked, windows down or the
keys in the car.

Yes! people really do this. With no visible signs of self-defense, it probably won’t be there when you return.

This is making motor vehicle theft so easy for a thief.

I know people that leave their cars and other recreational vehicles/motorcycles with the keys in them.

Others have vehicles in a garage and, for some reason, this makes them feel secure enough to leave the keys and the remote to the garage in the car.

In
some cases I know of, people will leave the car keys on a hook in the
garage or right inside the door from the garage into the house. This Is Not Safe!

This
only gives you a false sense of security. It's also a great opportunity for
a motor vehicle theft if your garage/house is broken into.

Once he has a key, a thief can made a copy. If he knows you'll be away, he can come back with a "buddy" who is a mechanic and together they steal your expensive and/or classic car, and any other valuable "toys" you might have.

They'll use your car to haul away
more “goodies”. If they had no easy access to your car, they probably wouldn't take the time to try to steal it, and would have no easy way to haul away the extras. They'd have to look for luggage or duffel bags to take it away.

We are all taught to carry our registration and insurance cards in the glove compartment.

These days, with motor vehicle theft on the rise, it is not a safe thing to do.

Most glove boxes don’t even lock anymore, so it is a much better bet to keep these items in your purse or wallet. Again, if your car is broken into or stolen, this information gives the thief immediate access to where you live. This is one more nightmare you don't need.

****Also, make sure you don’t leave your garage door opener in the car and make sure you set the car alarm.****

In
Arizona, police offered a free window etching service. Often a coded
series of digits, the permanent numbers are a visible deterrent to
thieves who would rather save themselves time and money and not have to replace all vehicle
glass before an illegal sale.

Etching every car window is a great idea and a great deterrent against motor vehicle theft.

In
Tennessee, police passed out thousands of “Park Smart” business cards
at downtown parking garages warning people of motor vehicle theft.

The police advised car owners to “lock your vehicle, secure your valuables and make sure you take your keys with you”.

Where And How You Park Your Car Are Big Considerations... in the effort to stop motor vehicle theft!

New Developments Of Identity Theft:

I was just informed of two new motor vehicle scams.

Crooks are now snatching license plates in record numbers.

It’s not for the reason of years ago. Back then, your plate was switched because you stole a car.

Now
the thief is stealing your plate for a much different reason – his
registration is expired and/or the thief can’t pass a smog test or they
bought the car and don’t have the pink slip.

The thief does not want to pay for any of the above, and especially, does not want to have the car registered with the DMV.

License plate theft also allows the thief some extra time while driving around.

The police have their own name for this; it is call ’cold plating’ and, sadly, has become a huge daily problem; especially in the town of Modesto, CA.

Normally, thieves usually snatch the plates of a car with a similar model, color and make.

If
a police officer runs the plate for any reason, it will come back to
that particular make and model of the car and makes it much more
difficult for the officer to catch them.

If by
chance the thief is pulled over, there is a much better chance he will
be busted for motor vehicle theft, as the vehicle identification number
and registration will be checked.

Interestingly enough, if you steal the plates, it is a misdemeanor charge of petty theft; but, if you are trying to avoid fees by stealing the plates, this is a felony charge for trying to defraud the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The
most effective way to prevent this theft is to attach the plates with a
special screw. A star-head or hex-head screw, which you can buy at an
automotive store, is your best bet.

Think about it though; it is a safer action for the thief to take to safeguard himself.

If
you come out in the morning and find your whole car gone, you would
evidently notice this and do something about it right away.

If your plates are missing, your chances of realizing that are much slimmer.

Registration Tag Problems

I am including this because of something my sister relayed to me as we were discussing this.

I
remember years ago, thieves were stealing the tags off the back license
plate and putting it on their own (must be nice to have some hard
worker pay for your tag).

My sister remembered her husband taught her to take a razor or knife and put a few diagonal cuts in the tag.

If
the thief tried to steal it, the tag would peal off in pieces and
really wouldn’t be useable. It would look really funky and very
noticeable to the police.

My sister and family claim I remember so many things that happened in the past that they don't remember, but they got me on this one. I do Not remember this particular one.

Darn! And here I thought I was perfect. Oh, well!

Garages - Home Security Tip

Most motor vehicle theft happens when the stolen cars are taken off the street or parking areas.

Garages are your best bet for keeping your car safe and, an added bonus, the finish on your car will last a lot longer.

Garages can deter a thief because of unknown risks such as; dogs, alarms, motion sensors or homeowners, etc.

The
“toys” you park in or around your garage, such as cars, boats, ATV’s,
wave runners, etc, also tell a thief what you might have.

Protect Yourself!Don't Advertise What You Have

For added protection, make sure you lock your garage and gates.

Make
sure you use a good commercial lock, such as American, and make sure
the hasp that holds it can withstand an assault from someone.

Also,
make sure you keep your car locked when in the garage. If the thief
gets in the garage you have given him one less easy opportunity for
stealing you car.

All these steps will provide one more “level of layering” and protection for you.

The harder you make it for a thief, the more likely the thief is to move on to an easier target. See Hasp_and_Locks section for more.

At one point in my life, I lived in a remote area in California. My car was a classic and worth quite a bit of money. We had no garage, and the car was very vulnerable to motor vehicle theft.

At
this time, there was not a lot of “high tech” stuff. To keep my car
safe from motor vehicle theft, especially during the “wee” hours, was a
big consideration.

My husband had an old work van, and we would
put the front end of my classic a ½ inch away from the wall at the front
of the house and “snug” the bumper of the van right up to the bumper of
my car.

In this manner, it prevented motor vehicle theft and kept a thief from driving off with my car.

To add insult to injury, we would also disable the battery for good measure.

It’s a good thing we did this, as one night my husband caught some guy trying to steal my car.

If
I hadn’t taken the steps I did to prevent motor vehicle theft and to
keep the thief from stealing what was mine, he would have had himself a
“sweet” classic.

Putting
an alarm on your car may stop motor vehicle theft from happening to you, by calling attention to the fact that someone is trying to tamper with, or steal
your car.

The thief certainly does not want to draw attention to
himself or alert a possible witness.

Attention Everyone: Especially Women!

A New Trick For Using Your car Alarm!

When you come home for the night and put your keys away -Remember! Your car remote is a security alarm that requires no installation and you probably have one already.

When you go to bed at night, start keeping your car keys next to your bed.

If
you hear a noise outside or think someone is trying to commit motor
vehicle theft, press the panic alarm on your car key chain.

It will go off from most anywhere inside your house, but make sure you test it before you rely on it.

The alarm will keep your battery honking until you reset it with the button on your key chain or, your battery goes dead.

This
also works if you park your car in your driveway or garage. If a thief
is breaking into your house, or car, and your alarm goes off, chances
are the thief won’t stick around.

By this time, all the neighbors will be awake and looking out their windows wanting to find out what all the noise is about.

The
neighbors are also vulnerable at this point, so it’s in their best
interest to pay attention to things going on around their own home.

The thief also doesn’t want any attention drawn to him and what he is stealing.

Ladies! Remember, while walking to your car in a parking lot, Carry your keys. The alarm will work here in the same way.

I
heard that when using the car alarm, it stopped woman from being
attacked by a rapist when they were walking alone to their parked car.

For Your Safety Be Alert andAware at All Times!

In my case, I used a “Club” for years. Then the thieves started
cutting the steering wheels to bypass the club so they could steal the
cars. Motor vehicle theft became a lot easier.

I switched to the “auto lock”, and didn’t have any problems after that. I use this even if my car is in the garage.

With all the "levels of layering" (taking multiple steps) of protection I have in and around my garage, I still feel that if the garage is broken into somehow, this will make it almost impossible for motor vehicle theft.

They would have to spend far too much time trying to bypass all the security measure I have in place.

Here’s a great idea, especially if you or a family member is forgetful about closing and locking doors behind them.

Install a garage door sentry system. This tells you if someone has left the garage door open.

This
is especially convenient if you are in another part of the house and
can’t visually see the garage door or if someone else has opened it.

Another excellent idea is to have a key-less lock on the outside of the house/garage.

Each person has his or her own personal code to punch in the pad to enter the house/garage.

This saves anyone in the family from losing the keys and having those keys floating around or landing in the hands of a thief.

Instead of leaving the keys in the car, as so many people do, put in a key-less lock box and save yourself a lot of grief later.

Put 4” deadbolts on the main door and put the hinges on the inside for added security.

A side door is a prime target for thieves. Many home invasion robbers come through open garage doors and inner doors.

A side door that opens into a garage is also a target for motor vehicle theft.

Got An Alley Entry? Oh! Oh!

Having a garage that faces an alley or, in the case of many
homeowners with an older home whose garage they converted into a
workshop, you need to take special precautions against motor vehicle
theft and keep your home safe.

Get a good security system with motion sensors. There are many to choose from.

If you have a regular door, you can put on double locks, but
make sure they are spaced as far away as possible from the first set.
This will take the thief longer to get in and will be a wonderful
deterrent.

Remember to use a really good quality lock and hasp system. If you have a weak hasp system, it won’t make any difference what type of lock you use.

Here again, put a 4” deadbolt on the main door and put the hinges on the inside for added security.

Putting bars on windows is also a super thief deterrent.
If you have high-end super expensive items or “toys”, you might want to
put a second set of bars on the inside. If you bolt the bars through
the wall, it won’t go anywhere.

I’ve done this in every house I’ve lived in. It is, again, a double layer of protection.

In my experience, the American commercial lock is a super lock;
however you must have a hasp (a hinged fastening for a door, gate, etc.)
that stands up to someone attacking the hasp and trying to get in, or
the lock will be of no use.

Your first priority is to bolt through whatever you’re attaching the hasp to. Just screwing it in is not going to secure it.

You must support this by a steel back plate on the other side of the door, that the bolts will also pass through.

In
this way, the back plate and hasp are held in place by the same nuts.
For a thief to enter, he would have to take out the area and the entire
plate for the bolts to be pulled out.

You can buy
steel boxes that are attachable, four sided and bolt through the door
with a shrouded hasp that protects the lock itself from a direct strike.

On one property I owned, I wasn’t able to find that item I was looking for, so I had my niece’s husband weld one for me.

You
can prevent access from both the top and the sides by attaching the
unit to the door, but that still allows access to the lock from below.

My
niece’s husband slotted it so the levered door handles slid in and
locked in place. He also used this slotted box in his truck, and it is
also good to use for cargo containers.

Car Vulnerability - Keep Yours Safe

Vehicles are especially vulnerable to motor vehicle theft, and this is exceptionally true when living in an apartment complex.

This is a dream come true for a thief.

An
apartment complex is a veritable supermarket of vehicles for the thief
to choose from.

Often, the thief will see another model they want and will make a return trip for it later.

It
is still a debatable issue whether alarms deter a thief intent on motor
vehicle theft, but I feel any auto anti theft device is better than
nothing and it is a fact your insurance rate will be lower.

I feel anything you do to increase your chances of keeping your car safe, is a good thing.

It is also a debatable issue as to whether having a LoJack, GPS or the OnStar label on your car deters thieves from attempting motor vehicle
theft.

A professional car thief keeps up with the
newest technology and is able to bypass it. The belief is, not labeling
the window will not give the thief prior knowledge that he has a system
to disable.

Labeling is thought to deter a thief and if your car is stolen and has the GPS it can be used to track it to a chop shop.

Another tip that so many people ignore because of our rushed and busy life is Never leave your car running unattended For Any Reason!

Thieves love it when you do this and makes it so easy for motor vehicle theft.

I
have seen so many people leave their vehicle running for just a second
to let it warm up, or to just run in the store. This is all the time it
takes a thief to take off with your car.

You have probably seen many cases in the news where a child was left in the running car while a parent dashed into the store. Upon returning, both the car and child were gone, stolen by a thief.

Most times the thief wasn’t even aware a child was there until blocks away.

Don’t Make It So Easy For The Thief. Don’t let your guard down and become complacent in taking steps to ensure the safety of your property and loved ones.

Important!

Make sure your car insurance keeps up with the times or the type car you own. Some vehicles are "hotter" for motor vehicle theft than others.

Don’t leave the keys or remote in the car, and make sure you turn on your car alarm.

Most
people are very careless about leaving the door from their garage to
their house unlocked all the time, thinking the locked garage doors will
protect them. Not True And A Bad Idea!

This
will add one more level of protection for you. The harder you make it
for a thief, the more likely he is to move on to an easier mark.

You Must make as many deterrents for an area so the thief will pick an easier and quicker mark. This is what I have been calling "levels of layering" (taking multiple steps) to provide more protection.

Examples of layering would be putting in double locks and safety coated windows that are also barred.

You
might even put rosebushes or any other kind of thorny bush below
windows to deter a thief from breaking into your house and, of course,
install alarms for your house.

I have more detailed steps you can take in home security tips. Taking multiple steps might seem an inconvenience, but the nightmare of what will happen if
you don’t, far outweighs the inconvenience.

Motorcycles

Motor vehicle theft is big business but, so is stealing motorcycles.

If you own a motorcycle, be sure you put it in a locked garage.

Motorcycle theft may not be as big a business as motor vehicle theft, but it’s much easier and still very common.

One of my relatives bought a brand new Harley and, until he was
able to clear space in his garage, he brought the Harley in at night and
parked it in the living room!!

I can hear all the ladies groaning now! My niece was very tolerant to go along with this for awhile.

The
quickest and quietest way motorcycles are stolen, is for someone to
pull their truck up to one, and several guys leap out, pick up the bike,
load it in the truck and off they go. The owner is none the wiser.

Some people don’t have garages, so the next best thing is to purchase a storage shed.

Make
sure you lock the shed. I have found that using an encased steel cord
and an American commercial lock to be a much safer bet than most.

If you Must
have it in a parking space at a house, apartment, etc, make sure you
make it much harder for a thief by using an encased steel cord and lock;
it to something that can’t be moved, such as a cemented anchor,
concrete reinforced pole, etc.

Also, go back and check Hasp_and_locks section for further information.

Wen I lived in apartment complexes, motor vehicle theft happened, but so did motorcycle theft.

I
had neighbors who had a very expensive bike, and they would use the
encased steel cord and thread the cable through the body, the front
wheel and around a reinforced pole in their carport.

This prevents a thief from being able to steal it by taking off the front wheel.

The
round chromed lock (D100 series) has held up against endless attempts
by professional criminals to break through these locks.

The
hasp locks 5300/630/748 series brings the thief to a dead stop even if
bolt cutters are used. You are not going to cut or hammer these hasps
off.

As I said, it is best to put your expensive
bike in a garage with a reinforced metal door and the above lock system;
but, if a garage or shed is not available, at least use the cable and
lock system.

A combination lock is a very easy to pick. Key locks are much harder to deal with.

I
have used what Cobra puts out. The case-hardened unit has a circular
ball bearing locking system, which is one of the hardest locks to pick.

A
friend of mine owns vending businesses and uses this type of safety
measure to stop being ripped off. I have also personally used this lock
for various reasons.

Whatever product or service you use, do your research before investing in anything. It is wise to be informed and educated on subjects that can affect your property and life.

Bicycles

It is preferable to use the same type of safety measure for your bicycle
that you do for your motorcycle, and don’t leave it lying around
somewhere.

Unfortunately, kids have a habit of doing this, and I did it as a kid also; but back then, our bikes were very seldom stolen.

If
a bike is left lying around today, you’ll be lucky to ever see it
again. This is too tempting, and makes it so easy for a thief.

If a thief has to work hard for what he steals, he most likely
will look for another victim. Remember, crime is a matter of
opportunity. Don’t make it easy for a thief! It’s a sad fact of life, but that’s how things are.

If
you live in an apartment, take your bike inside, especially at night;
or, as with motorcycles, you should chain your bike to something that
will take a great deal of work to move or pick up.

Motor vehicle theft, theft of motorcycles, bikes, heavy equipment etc, is a crime of convenience and opportunity. If stealing your property
takes a lot of work, the thief will most likely move on to an
easier target.

Trailers, RV's, And Heavy Equipment

Anything that can be attached to a trailer and towed such as
trailers, boats, and heavy equipment, also needs to be protected from
being stolen by thieves.

If possible, it is best to keep your trailers/RV/heavy equipment inside a fenced area or in a locked building.

The more deterrents you use, the more likely you are to keep your property protected.

Put wheel locks on your trailer or RV or secure it to an anchor that is imbedded in concrete.

If
your trailer can’t be rolled, it is unlikely to be chosen to steal. You
can also place small motion sensors or alarms that go off when they are
shaken or moved.

For
a boat, it is a good idea to hang the sensor from the boat steering
wheel before you cover it. The cover protects the boat from the
elements, and the thief won’t know you have this on the boat until it’s
too late.

Protecting Your Business Is Imperative

This one is extremely important! Even more so
if you have a business that deals with expensive items such as
electronics, TV’s, Home Theaters, etc.

If you deal
with high-end items such as motorcycles, cars, or boats that are
considered high value items that attract the attention of professional
thieves, you must pay special attention to protecting yourself.

If
your business is such that you also have a lot of acreage around your
building, make sure you add several layers of protection.

Rather
than putting up barbed wire which is easy for a thief to climb over, or
is thwarted by a thief using a padded or heavy jacket, razor wire is a
perfect alternative and is extremely hazardous to a thief’s health.

Considering
the way it is installed, it is unstable to crawl through or over, and
is flexible. Correctly installed, it is not tension that keeps it in
place, but the anchors at the bottom of each loop.

Barbed wire springs back when cut, razor wire doesn’t. It is a waste of time to cut correctly installed razor wire because the wire stays in place.

Razor Wire Facts!

Important! You need to check your local ordinances to make sure they allow razor wire at all.

There is usually a minimum fence height for its installation.

Make sure you
check this out for yourself. Don’t rely on a sales person for the
company who sells this to tell you the truth.

Remember, they're in the business to sell you this wire.

Also, make sure you have a professional fencing company install the razor wire. The wire is extremely dangerous to your health to try to do yourself, and you want it done right for the proper security for your business assets.

Other considerations are for motor vehicle theft, etc, especially if you have businesses and warehouses with high crime appeal items such as classic cars, motorcycles or electronics, is to consider guard dogs and/or security guards.

Hiring Guards

If you hire a security guard, make sure you do a criminal background check. So many states don't require a background check or a licensing check.

It's beyond me to understand why! The liability of the company could be devastating.

If I hire someone to guard my valuables, I certainly want to
make sure I haven't hired someone that has a criminal background who
then has the opportunity to steal me blind, especially since he will
most likely also be carrying a weapon.

That's Like Hiring A Fox To Guard The Hen House!

A friend of mine hired retired police officers to protect his
business. No matter who you hire, make sure you do the criminal
background check for your own protection.

I’ve worked in many large companies that had security guards 24/7 and many that had guards at night

To
make sure the guards are patrolling everywhere they should, the
companies had patrol stations where they had to clock in on a regular
basis to prove they were really making their rounds

Security companies are notorious for paying a low wage, which also results in an “I don’t care” attitude.

Besides
doing your own investigation into which company to use, ask other
businesses what company they use. Ask if they are satisfied, how long
they have had them, and how reliable are they.

If you receive a number of good recommendations on a particular company, it’s time to start checking them out.

Ask the guard how long he has been with the company and make sure you run that background and criminal check on him/her.

Don’t Overlook This! It's critically important for your safe keeping and protection of all you have worked so hard for.

Learn more tips at

Many
of the tips for business identity theft for protecting your business are the same as the ones for
your garage. If you have employees, there are other considerations to
consider.

I have a longtime friend named Wes, who owns
his own classic auto repair shop. Wes has had his shop for years, but
recently decided to keep his collection of classic cars at his shop.

Wes has many unique security problems due to specializing in such a high profile/high crime business as classic cars.

Motor vehicle theft was a very high possibility because of this.

He
has many customers and business clients that come in and out of the
shop during the day as well as many employees. Wes also had to be extra
careful because his shop has a door that goes to an alley in the back of
his business.

He installed a 4” dead bolt on a solid metal door, front and back, and with an extra bar across the back door.

This
strengthens the door and distributes the force over a larger area if a
thief tries to force his way in. It also stops the door from being
jarred enough to compromise the locks to break in.

Another tip is to put hinges on the "Inside" for added safety.

One special item Wes put in was a pretty cool and unusual deterrent against motor vehicle theft and to keep his business safe.

Although Wes had this installed in his business for a long time, I also saw this on “It Takes a Thief”.

Wes
has a high tech non-toxic smoke screen that activates if someone were
lucky enough to get by all the other layers of security.

This fills the room up quickly with a smoke screen, leaving the thief unable to see what he’s doing.

Because
of his high profile business, and the necessity to monitor his
employees and all the traffic during the day he installed video
surveillance for all areas of his business.

To save filming “dead space”, or nothing, you can get what’s called a motion detector activated surveillance installed.

There
is also a camera system that is set to be accessed via the internet so
you can check on your home or business from anywhere in the world.

Wes also had an outside siren and glass breaking sensors installed.

You have many options to pick from so be sure you investigate which system will work best for you.

Wes
also assigned an electronic beeper to all his employees for door entry.
Each employee has a beeper with his or her own personal code, and the
system keeps an automatic electronic record of anytime each individual
arrives and departs.

It is much safer than having a bunch of keys floating around that could get lost or stolen.

This system has worked out very well for Wes and his business.

Wes
took the time to investigate all the potential problems and what
measures he could take to safeguard himself and his business and deter
motor vehicle theft.

The impact of not "going the extra distance" would have the potential to totally ruin him financially and make a nightmare of his life.

Taking
the time to implement all the above safety measures has truly given Wes
peace of mind and kept his business and life safe from identity theft
and motor vehicle theft.

The electronic record and
video can also be a backup for any problem that comes up. It is a great
deterrent for any employee that might entertain any wrong thoughts.

Wes did all the credit/criminal background checks which should greatly cut down the chance of future problems.

It is also an excellent idea to use identity theft software to protect your personal computer/laptop and the information you keep on it.

As
I mentioned to you previously, this information is an identity thief’s
dream, and they can do incredible damage with all this information.

You
need to make sure all your business information and valuables are kept
in a safe that is bolted to the floor so it cannot be carried out by
thief/thieves using a hand cart.

This is true,
especially if you have a cash business. You can keep the money in the
safe until you are able to go to the bank. Make sure you go to the bank
during the business day, and make sure you stagger the times.

You want to make sure you are being extremely unpredictable and, in doing so, it is highly unlikely you’ll be robbed.

Remember what I said all along about varying your pattern! It helps keep you and your property safe.

Using these motor vehicle theft tips will be well worth your time and become second nature after doing them a few times.

Do You Have a Motor Vehicle Theft Question or Comment?

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